THE latest round of Brexit trade talks have ended early amid reports of "serious" differences between the UK and the EU.

Michel Barnier has reportedly accused British trade negotiatiors of a "lack of respect" as the meetings finished a day earlier than planned on Thursday.

This week's talks had been the first to take place in-person since the coronavirus outbreak. 

In a statement, the UK's chief negotiator David Frost said that while the ability to meet in person had given "extra depth and flexibility" to the discussions, there was more to do.

"We have completed our discussion of the full range of issues in the negotiation in just over three days," he said.

"The negotiations have been comprehensive and useful. But they have also underlined the significant differences that still remain between us on a number of important issues."

His EU opposite number Michel Barnier said that while Brussels had engaged "constructively", officials needed to see an "equivalent engagement from the UK side".

"Our goal was to get negotiations successfully and quickly on a trajectory to reach an agreement," he said.

"However, after four days of discussions, serious divergences remain."